OLYMPIA -- The Washington House approved a supplementary transportation budget with an overwhelming majority on Tuesday, but several Republicans objected to part of the package that incentivizes carpooling with taxpayer dollars.

The transportation budget passed by a 73-24 vote. The budget includes a $6 million appropriation for the vanpool program.

Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches

Washington state public transit agencies have purchased more than 1,600 vans since 2003, and the vanpool program serves more than 19,000 commuters around the state.

The appropriation would be allocated for transit agencies to add vanpools or replace vans. It also directs money for incentives for businesses to increase employee vanpool use. Incentives could come in the form of businesses subsidizing carpool programs for their employees.